The Rousey vs. Carano event is on Netflix as I type this. I have it open on the wall on my large monitor and thus far they have done a decent job with the overall production. However, it is far from perfect. The fights thus far have been pretty solid and I would say that they are actually of a higher caliber and more fast-paced than most of what UFC ever presents.
There is very little incentive for anyone to win via decision and I think that the fighters kind of realize that this event could very well end up being a "one and done" sort of thing or something that only happens once a year or so seeing as how this is not a real promotion meaning they do not have any belts or rankings or anything like that. An impressive victory via KO or submission could lead to contracts with UFC if people take notice but other than that, there really isn't a "who is next" sort of picture that exists right now.
One really big mistake that I think they made and perhaps it was too late for them to do anything about it is that it is evident that this event is not sold out. It doesn't appear to be even close to sold out from the camera perspective. They are trying to give the appearance of it being sold out by keeping the lights really low in the stands and even having red and white lights shining towards the ring so you can't really see that there are a LOT of empty seats.
Word was that low-level tickets were $80-$250 and people were complaining (I think rightfully so) that this is too much money for a promotion that doesn't even have a real organization behind it. I think that they were planning on Jake Paul's influence to fill up this place as well but whatever their plan was, it doesn't appear to have worked.
There also is the question of this having much wider capabilities for people to watch at home seeing as how this is streaming free on the most-subscribed-to streaming service in the world, which is Netflix.
There have been only 2 fights thus far and both of them have been solid, but the dead space between fights really seems truly "dead." The announcers are talking, but they are quite limited about what they can talk about I think, not much is mentioned using the words UFC and I wonder if they are under legal obligation to not talk about that a great deal, which would be really silly if that was the case but we live in litigious times where almost anything can result in a lawsuit.
Another mistake is that there doesn't appear to be very many celebrities or fighters in the crowd. I am sure that UFC has prohibited their contracted fighters from attending and thus far the only fighter I have seen in the crowd is Cain Velasquez, who was recently released from prison.
Something that is kind of silly is that it would appear as though UFC has a patent on the "octagon" and it made me laugh a bit when they talk about "making his way to the HEXAGON" and other such things. I can't believe that UFC has a patent or copyright on a shape.
I suppose this has its merits thus far and I commend them for keeping the commercial breaks at a minimum, which is something that I was kind of afraid of. It is strange to see any commercials on a streaming service but so far they are not doing what UFC does, which is to make me feel like the events are one long infomercial that on occasion has a fight here and there.
The 3 biggest fights featuring Nate Diaz, Francis Ngannou and of course Ronda Rousey are yet to come and starting right now. If they can keep the pace up and good as it has been so far (all have been 1st round finishes) then I think this could be fine. I'm actually just kind of hoping that the next 3 fights can be a bit longer. It's good the fighters are "Swinging for the fences" so far though.
Let's see!